Ducky Zero DK2108 Review

06 Sep 2014

Hello everyone; welcome to another Rhinofeed keyboard review!

Today we're looking at the Ducky Zero (DK2108) with Cherry MX Reds. Included in the box is the following: a Ducky info card, replacement pad-printed pink WASD keys, a basic plastic key puller, and the keyboard itself.

As you should all know by now, Cherry MX Reds are my favorite switch. In fact, this is the first keyboard I owned that had them — I just never got around to reviewing it! Cherry MX Reds are a linear switch with no tactile bump or click. The actuation force required is the same as for Cherry MX Browns, which is fairly light, but to me they feel even lighter because you don't have that bump.

The switches are mounted on a plate, and underneath that you have a dual-layer PCB. This may be Ducky's "basic" keyboard, but they've put the money where it counts. Typing on this keyboard is so smooth, and so solid. The space bar has a really nice thud.

They've saved some money by using ABS keycaps, and the laser-printed lettering fades quickly in use. Luckily they are easy enough to replace, but for me, the shiny worn key feel is growing on me.

The case is a slightly textured black box with squared edges. Perfect. It hides fingerprints and dust well, and it doesn't flex at all when you try to twist it.

As far as the layout and extra shortcut keys go, you'll find four extra keys at the top right of the keyboard above the number pad: volume mute, volume down, volume up, and a dedicated calculator key. This is exactly what I want in a keyboard, and one of the biggest reasons I love this keyboard so much. You don't even have to press a Function key to use them!

You'll also notice they've replaced the bottom right Windows key with a function key, which can be used to either lock the Windows key (F10), or enable/disable unlimited key rollover over USB (NKRO).

Both of these keys have cool green LEDs to let you know when they're enabled, and you'll also find the same LEDs on your NumLock key and your CapsLock key.

One thing they did to save money was to not include a removable cable, and the cable that is included is not gold-plated. It really doesn't bother me too much, but that is something I thought I should note. There are also no extra features controlled by DIP-switches on the bottom, like you find on the Ducky Shine series.

Speaking of the bottom, you'll find four small rubber feet near each corner, and two flip-out feet to increase the angle for typing. The flip-out feet do not include rubber on the ends of them, so there is a higher chance of the Zero slipping around on your desktop. The keyboard is heavy enough that this doesn't happen to me, however.

Conclusion

To sum it all up: If you are in the market for a full-size mechanical keyboard that isn't flashy in any way, but that will give you a great, solid typing experience at a good price/performance ratio, this is the one. Pick what switch you want and go get it. Alternatively, if you like the basic design but want a little flashiness, Ducky has the DK2108S, which is the same keyboard plus backlighting.

Thanks for reading! I'll end my review by giving you the sound test video of this very keyboard for your listening pleasure. Doesn't it sound fantastic?